Extreme sports enthusiast Felix Baumgartner made his record-breaking free fall jump Sunday from a capsule some 128,000 feet above Roswell, New Mexico. He began his ascent into the stratosphere about 11:30 a.m. EDT Sunday.

According to Reuters, Brian Utley, the certification official for the Federation Aeronautic International, said that “preliminary figures indicate Baumgartner broke a total of three established world records, including the highest altitude skydive, longest freefall without a parachute and fastest fall achieved during a skydive.”

This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com on October 15, 2012 shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria jumping out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on October 14, 2012. (Jay Nemeth/AFP/Getty Images)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria salutes before he exits his capsule as he begins his record-setting skydive over Roswell, New Mexico October 14, 2012 in this frame capture released on October 15, 2012. (Red Bull Stratos Content Pool/Handout/Reuters)

This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com on October 15, 2012 shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria jumping out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on October 14, 2012. (Jay Nemeth/AFP/Getty Images)

In this handout image supplied by Red Bull Stratos on October 15, 2012, Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria prepares to jump out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on October 14, 2012 in space. (Photo by Jay Nemeth/Red Bull Stratos via Getty Images)

This picture taken on October 15, 2012 in Vienna shows frontpages of Austrian newspapers reporting Austria’s Felix Baumgartner’s jump from the edge of space. (Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. Baumgartner was attempting to break a 52-year-old record by skydiving from 23 miles (37 km). He also attempted to break the sound barrier while in freefall. (Balazs Gardi/Reuters photo)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria and Technical Project Director Art Thompson of the U.S. celebrate after Baumgartner successfully completed the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. Baumgartner was attempting to break a 52-year-old record by skydiving from 23 miles (37 km). He also attempted to break the sound barrier while in freefall. (Joerg Mitter/Reuters photo)

Life support engineer Mike Todd of the U.S. and pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrate after Baumgartner successfully completed the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. Baumgartner was attempting to break a 52-year-old record by skydiving from 23 miles (37 km). He also attempted to break the sound barrier while in freefall. (Balazs Gardi/Reuters photo)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. An Austrian daredevil leapt into the stratosphere from a balloon hovering near the edge of space 24 miles (38 km) above Earth on Sunday, breaking as many as three world records including the highest skydive ever, project sponsors said. (Balaza Gardi/Reuters photo)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria celebrates upon landing in the desert after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. The Austrian daredevil became the first man to break the sound barrier in a record-shattering freefall jump from the edge of space, organizers said. The 43-year-old leapt from a capsule more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above the Earth, reaching a speed of 706 miles per hour (1,135 km/h) before opening his red and white parachute and floating down to the New Mexico desert. (Pedrag Vuckovic/AFP photo)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria lands in the desert after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. The Austrian daredevil became the first man to break the sound barrier in a record-shattering freefall jump from the edge of space, organizers said. The 43-year-old leapt from a capsule more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above the Earth, reaching a speed of 706 miles per hour (1,135 km/h) before opening his red and white parachute and floating down to the New Mexico desert. (Pedrag Vuckovic/AFP photo)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria floating down to earth before landing in the desert after successfully completing the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. The Austrian daredevil became the first man to break the sound barrier in a record-shattering freefall jump from the edge of space, organizers said. The 43-year-old leapt from a capsule more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above the Earth, reaching a speed of 706 miles per hour (1,135 km/h) before opening his red and white parachute and floating down to the New Mexico desert. (Balazs Gardi/AFP photo)

Family members and friends celebrate the successful jump of pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria aboard Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner became the first man to break the sound barrier in a record-shattering freefall jump from the edge of space, organizers said. The 43-year-old leapt from a capsule more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above the Earth, reaching a speed of 706 miles per hour (1,135 km/h) before opening his red and white parachute and floating down to the New Mexico desert. (Joerg Mitter/ AFP photo)

Crew members celebrate the successful launch during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA. (Balazs Gardi/AFP photo)

Crew members at the mission control watch the jump of pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. Austrian Felix Baumgartner broke the world record for the highest free fall in history after making a 23-mile ascent in capsule attached to a massive balloon. (Joerg Mitter/ Getty Images)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria exits his capsule as he begins his record-setting skydive over Roswell, New Mexico in this frame capture from handout video. Baumgartner broke a 52-year-old record by skydiving from 23 miles (37 km). (Video frame grab/Reuters photo)

Felix Baumgartner jumps out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos on October 14, 2012. The Austrian daredevil became the first man to break the sound barrier in a record-shattering freefall jump from the edge of space, organizers said. (Jay Nemeth/AFP/GettyImages – redbullpoolcontent.com)

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria jumps out from the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. Austrian Felix Baumgartner broke the world record for the highest free fall in history after making a 23-mile ascent in capsule attached to a massive balloon. (Stefan Aufschnaiter/Getty Images)

This picture provided by redbullcontentpool.com shows Felix Baumgartner of Austria seen in a screen at mission control center in the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. Daredevil Felix Baumgartner lifted off from the New Mexico desert on Sunday, in his second attempt to make a record-breaking jump from the edge of space. Baumgartner was being transported up to 23 miles (37 kilometers) above the Earth by an enormous balloon, before launching himself into the void, aiming to become the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall. (Stefan Aufschnaiter/AFP/Getty Images)

This picture provided by redbullcontentpool.com shows the balloon lifting the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. Baumgartner will attempt to make a record-breaking jump from the edge of space some 23 miles above the Earth. (Predrag Vuckovic/AFP/Getty Images)

This picture provided by redbullcontentpool.com shows Felix Baumgartner of Austria stepping into the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. (Balazs Gardi/AFP/Getty Images)

This picture provided by redbullcontentpool.com shows Felix Baumgartner during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. Baumgartner lifted off from the New Mexico desert on Sunday, in his second attempt to make a record-breaking jump from the edge of space. (Jorg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

This picture provided by redbullcontentpool.com shows Felix Baumgartner of Austria preparing in his trailer during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. (Jorg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

This picture provided by redbullcontentpool.com shows Felix Baumgartner of Austria sitting in his trailer during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. (Jorg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

This picture provided by redbullcontentpool.com shows Felix Baumgartner of Austria stepping out from his trailer during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA on October 14, 2012. (Balazs Gardi/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria leaves his capsule after his mission was aborted due to high winds in Roswell, New Mexico. The Austrian daredevil called off his death-defying skydive from a balloon 23 miles (37 km) over the New Mexico desert on Tuesday because of winds at the launch site. (Balazs Gardi/Red Bull Content Pool/Handout/Reuters)

October 9, 2012: In this handout from Red Bull Stratos, Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria reacts after his mission was aborted after his mission was aborted in Roswell, New Mexico. (Red Bull Stratos via Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: The high altitude balloon that will bring Austrian pilot Felix Baumgartner to the stratosphere, twists in the wind just seconds before the skydive was called off during the Red Bull Stratos mission in Roswell, New Mexico. (Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Content Pool/Handout/Reuters)

October 9, 2012: In this handout from Red Bull Stratos, the high altitude balloon twists in the wind before the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Red Bull Stratos via Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria stepping into the capsule before the scheduled take off of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. The Austrian daredevil’s attempt to make an unprecedented leap from the edge of space was aborted moments before the planned launch due to gusty winds, organizers said. Baumgartner was already installed in the pressurized capsule, and a five-minute countdown was started, but as it got down to zero it became clear that conditions were too windy. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria saluting on his way to the capsule before the scheduled take off of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria stepping out of his trailer before the scheduled take off of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria getting ready in his trailer before the scheduled take off of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria gets ready in his trailer before the scheduled take off of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows a crane holding the Red Bull Stratos capsule at the flight line before Austrian pilot Felix Baumgartner takes off in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows a crane holding the Red Bull Stratos capsule at the flight line before Austrian pilot Felix Baumgartner takes off in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sitting in his capsule prior to the final manned flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: This picture provided by www.redbullcontentpool.com shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sitting in his capsule prior to the final manned flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 9, 2012: Felix is now in his trailer getting his pressurized suit put on by Mike Todd. (twitter.com/RedBullStratos)

October 7, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria works out in a gym during the preparations for the final manned flight of the Red Bull Stratos mission in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 7, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria works out in a gym during the preparations for the final manned flight of the Red Bull Stratos mission in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 6, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sits in his capsule during the preparations for the final manned flight of the Red Bull Stratos mission in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 6, 2012: Austrian extreme sportsman Felix Baumgartner goes through dress rehearsal at Red Bull Stratos mission headquarters in Roswell, New Mexico. Baumgartner’­s record-breaking jump from 120,000 feet / 36,576 meters, scheduled for Tuesday, will be closely tracked by HD cameras in his capsule, on his body, in the air and on the ground, as the Austrian’­s plunge through the sound barrier promises to be the best-documented high-altitude jump ever and can be watched in real time not only by the Mission Team but also by viewers around the world. (Red Bull Stratos/Balazs Gardi/Handout/Reuters)

October 6, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner (C) of Austria stands on the step of his capsule during the preparation for the final manned flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Balazs Gardi/AFP/Getty Images)

October 6, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner (C) of Austria stands on a forklift in front of his capsule during the preparation for the final manned flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Balazs Gardi/AFP/Getty Images)

October 6, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria sits in his trailer during the preparation for the final manned flight of Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Balazs Gardi/AFP/Getty Images)

October 5, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria stands outside his capsule during the preparations for the final manned flight of the Red Bull Stratos mission in Roswell, New Mexico. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

October 5, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, Austrian pilot Felix Baumgartner sits in his capsule during the preparation of the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Balazs Gardi/AFP/Getty Images)

July 25, 2012: In this photo provided by Red Bull, ATA crew members fill up the balloon with helium at the flight line during the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos on in Roswell, New Mexico. Red Bull Stratos is a mission to the edge of space to an altitude of 37.000 meters to break several records including the sound of speed in freefall. (Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull via Getty Images)

July 23, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria (C) looks at the capsule prior to the second manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico. (Balazs Gardi/AFP/Getty Images)

February 23 2012: Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria, is seen during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, New Mexico, USA in this photo provided by Red Bull. The final countdown for Baumgartnerâs history making jump from the edge of space began on September 24, 2012 after the Red Bull Stratos Technical Project Director Art Thompson declared the repaired space capsule is fit and all systems are go. (Joerg Mitter/Red Bull/AFP/Getty Images)

February 23, 2012: In this image obtained from www.redbullcontentpool.com, pilot Felix Buamgartner of Austria shows a piece of the balloon material during the Red Bull Stratos egress training in Lancaster, California, USA. (Joerg Mitter/AFP/Getty Images)

ROSWELL, New Mexico (Reuters) – An Austrian daredevil leapt into the stratosphere from a balloon near the edge of space 24 miles above Earth on Sunday and safely landed, setting a record for the highest skydive and breaking the sound barrier in the process.

Cheers broke out as Felix Baumgartner, 43, jumped from a skateboard-sized shelf outside the 11-by-8-foot (3.3-by-2.4 meter) fiberglass and acrylic capsule that was carried higher than 128,000 feet by an enormous balloon.

“We love you Felix!” screamed the crowd gathered in a mission control setting at his launch site in Roswell, New Mexico as more than 8 million people watched his feat online.

Baumgartner’s body pierced the atmosphere at 833.9 miles per hour, according to preliminary numbers released by Brian Utley, the certification official for the Federation Aeronautic International, at a press conference afterward.

Baumgartner’s speed clinched one of his goals: to become the first skydiver to break the sound barrier, typically measured at more than 690 mph. And he did so on the 65th anniversary of legendary American pilot Chuck Yeager’s flight shattering the sound barrier on October 14, 1947.

Utley said preliminary figures indicate Baumgartner broke a total of three established world records, including the highest altitude skydive, longest freefall without a parachute and fastest fall achieved during a skydive.

Baumgartner landed safely on the ground and raised his arms in a victory salute just 10 minutes after he stepped into the air. Soon he was hugged by his mother and father, who took their first trip outside Europe to see his historic plunge, and his girlfriend jumped up and wrapped her legs around him.

15 Comments

Perry Dekker
Oct 21, 2012 @
10:43:21

In 1977 mrs Elvira Fomicheva (1950) from Russia jumped from 35 kilometer.
and is still female record holder for high altitude jumps
The russians used this experience in their space program.
Most safty bulletins revolved from this are written in blood, but provide others (our astronauts) with useful information
how to survive in space.
Fame and respect is the only reward, this is priceless!
Well done Felix and Elvira!!!!

I personally cannot believe that in 1960 U.S. Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger was able to accomplish this with less or limited advances in technology!!! It must be much easier and safer in 2012!!! 52 years later!!!

Are you stupid it takes a lot of training fool! Basically without his years of experience and the thousands of dollars invested in the equipment he could either A. pass the fuck out on the way down due to the enormous stress put on his body the force of gravity or B) his skin could literally boil from falling that fast. So to answer your question what kind of training it takes? It takes a lot of training, timing and planning to get this right.

Honestly son, I do hope you survive this incredibly foolish stunt. I just have one question for you Felix, is this chance at your 15 minutes of fame worth the value of your life? Think it over and know that I, and many others, won’t think any less of you for passing up this lame attempt at fame.

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